Post by bacon on Oct 26, 2011 18:42:45 GMT -5

I don't do much coffee shopping since i still live with my parents and my Mom is the ultimate coffee addict. We normally get the medium roast at Costco, but the absolute best is the stuff we get sent to us from our family in Germany.

Post by nodepression on Oct 26, 2011 19:21:57 GMT -5

I don't do much coffee shopping since i still live with my parents and my Mom is the ultimate coffee addict. We normally get the medium roast at Costco, but the absolute best is the stuff we get sent to us from our family in Germany.

Post by laggy on Oct 26, 2011 19:52:05 GMT -5

best coffee i ever had was at a breakfast place called "Yolk" in Chicago down the street from Grant Park. It was their own blend, made by chicago coffee blenders "Metropolis". I bought a pound and brought it home but it only lasted 2-3 weeks. I wish I had bought more.You can buy metropolis coffee online, but not the yolk blend unfortunately. I haven't tried any of the other blends.

Post by wolfmanjess on Oct 27, 2011 8:44:07 GMT -5

A suggestion and a quick observation here. I don't drink coffee much anymore but every year around Christmas Costco will have a 25$ or so bag of 100% Kona from Hawaii which is excellent for a nice treat that is usually a little pricey.

When I did drink it all the time I pretty much used the same rule I do for beer. Find someone local who is buying and roasting green beans themselves and get it as fresh as you can. The difference between fresh beans and traveled beans is really pretty huge, plus you can assume that someone going to the trouble of roasting themselves is choosing a pretty decent starting point.

Post by bonzai on Oct 27, 2011 9:43:18 GMT -5

The instant coffee, served at night in the cafeteria, here at work is not too bad, I could Fed Ex you a cup.

I think that I just threw up a little.

I am a coffee addict, but not connoisseur. I buy any big ol' box of KCups from Sam's Club- no flavor- and just add Splenda. When I am out and about, I will get Dunkin hot or iced. I am not too into flavors because they end up being too desserty (although I used to live by Hazelnut) most of the time and I stay away from lattes and such because I really am not a milk fan!

Post by kdogg on Oct 28, 2011 5:45:31 GMT -5

I am always excited when Punch In The Face (out of Milwaukee) is the daily featured blend at my local coffee shop.

When I was in the recall office this summer, I drank so much of it everyone just called me Coffee by the end of it. When we closed up shop, of course I wound up getting what was left of our donations. I'm still working my way through pounds of Folger's I took home as a result.

This is my coffee mug these days. Not as cool as the Sex Pistols one I got on their reunion tour about fifteen years ago which broke before I finished college, though... I don't think I could ever love another coffee mug as much as I did that one.

Post by nodepression on Oct 29, 2011 21:03:39 GMT -5

A suggestion and a quick observation here. I don't drink coffee much anymore but every year around Christmas Costco will have a 25$ or so bag of 100% Kona from Hawaii which is excellent for a nice treat that is usually a little pricey.

When I did drink it all the time I pretty much used the same rule I do for beer. Find someone local who is buying and roasting green beans themselves and get it as fresh as you can. The difference between fresh beans and traveled beans is really pretty huge, plus you can assume that someone going to the trouble of roasting themselves is choosing a pretty decent starting point.

This is a good suggestion, the problem is finding someone here who does that. The local cafe sells beans, but they're coffee is good but not great.

Post by holls on Nov 2, 2011 19:40:18 GMT -5

HOLD UP JUST A COTTON-PICKIN' MINUTE:

This thread has existed for eight days and I'm JUST NOW SEEING IT?!?

And I dare call myself a java junkie!?!

Srsly, thanks for starting this thread! I used to think oenophiles were the ultimate snobs, using highbrow terms like "varietals" and "bouquet" - but I'll be damned if I haven't turned into the coffee-gulping version of the same.

Case in point: last week a colleague asked me what kind of coffee I was about to brew, since he'd just heard me grind the beans. One of our students said, "Coffee's coffee, right?" That's when I went into a 5-minute spiel on my preference for a medium-bodied Rwandan fair trade cultivated bean that has a smooth finish with hints of nuts and chocolate and wine.

The kid just stared at me. Then he asked if he could have some. He's been back every day for a cup, like clockwork.

And thus another java junkie is born.

PS - I blame my coffee addiction on my enabling mother, who put it in my bottle as a baby. No joke.

Post by holls on Nov 2, 2011 19:57:36 GMT -5

Find someone local who is buying and roasting green beans themselves and get it as fresh as you can. The difference between fresh beans and traveled beans is really pretty huge, plus you can assume that someone going to the trouble of roasting themselves is choosing a pretty decent starting point.

This is a good suggestion, the problem is finding someone here who does that.

I'm lucky because we have several local companies that roast their own beans. I can really taste the difference. Our open-air Sunday market features most of the local roasters, so it smells like heaven from all the delicious aromas of coffee & fresh baked goods.

My favorite beans come from a local guy who started a micro-roast shop (Velo Coffee Roasters) - it's so "green" they only deliver by bicycle. Fortunately, we don't get much snow here in the winter.

Post by holls on Nov 2, 2011 21:09:09 GMT -5

OK, here's my 150-watt epiphany for the week:

Inforoo Coffee Club.

I'll send a few ounces of fresh beans to y'all, if you'll in turn send a few ounces to me. I'll even pitch in a buck for the shipping. USPS for $1.48 in a large envelope. Put some beans in a baggie & we're in biz.

Wow, this might be the first time in the history of these boards that we've discussed ounces of stuff in baggies that wasn't corn.

Post by on Nov 3, 2011 5:18:25 GMT -5

Personally I like the Indonesia Gajah Aceh & Guatemala Santa Clara. The Gajah Aceh is grown in Sumatra and isn't that dark. It has an acidic taste that keeps your eyes open. Good breakfast coffee.The Santa Clara is a bit darker and has more of a full body than the Gajah Aceh. It's nice for an afternoon or evening cup.

I wanna try the Kenya Gatomboya & the Kenya Tegu but at $21.50 for 12 oz ... I can't justify it. Not yet at least.

If ever in doubt go with the house blend. I lived off it for 2 years when living in Portland.

Post by on Nov 3, 2011 5:22:00 GMT -5

Stumptown taught me about coffee. Single beans & origins down to the plight of the bean picker. I've bought coffee in every state over the years but I have never found someone that cares as much as Stumptown does.